Radio apparently dead - possible to restore USB power?

[Chris C.]

After several years of giving the "radio not found" message more and more frequently, I think my radio finally kicked the bucket.  I already tried a new battery, new fuse, and checking the connections under the tray under the seat.  Not a big crisis because I can Bluetooth my iPod to the Cardo device on my helmet, but what stinks is my USB connection in the glove box is dead too and won't charge it on a trip.  Any ideas on how to get power back to the USB port without buying a new radio or doing major surgery on the bike?

[DonTom]

Originally Posted by Chris C.

After several years of giving the "radio not found" message more and more frequently, I think my radio finally kicked the bucket.  I already tried a new battery, new fuse, and checking the connections under the tray under the seat.  Not a big crisis because I can Bluetooth my iPod to the Cardo device on my helmet, but what stinks is my USB connection in the glove box is dead too and won't charge it on a trip.  Any ideas on how to get power back to the USB port without buying a new radio or doing major surgery on the bike?

There are many ways to do such. Wire in your own with a  12 VDC to USB converter. Or use a 12 volt port to USB. But then you may have to convert from British to USA 12 VDC adapter depending on which 12 volt adapter you want to use. The one in the travel trunk is a USA type.

The "12VDC to USB" adapter  shown above can be found for one dollar in most Dollar Tree stores in the USA--or the 99 cent store. Very cheap fix, if all you need to do is charge.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[DonTom]

Originally Posted by Chris C.

After several years of giving the "radio not found" message more and more frequently, I think my radio finally kicked the bucket. 

See this thread and perhaps many others.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[earthman]

I'd like to find a cure for the 'Device not found' message/problem one day,....I've wondered if it's the live feed or the data connections? Whichever it is, it seems that it's from within the radio itself rather than the bike's battery actually being low or the alternator etc.

[DonTom]

Originally Posted by earthman

I'd like to find a cure for the 'Device not found' message/problem one day,....I've wondered if it's the live feed or the data connections? Whichever it is, it seems that it's from within the radio itself rather than the bike's battery actually being low or the alternator etc.

I consider it a "bug". A rather minor one that we should be able to  live with, IMO.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[earthman]

Originally Posted by DonTom

I consider it a "bug". A rather minor one that we should be able to  live with, IMO.

-Don-  Reno, NV

Depends on how often you want to listen to your music rather than the radio I guess,....95% of the time I tend to go for what's on my USB stick so having to open that fairing pocket and fiddly about with the stick becomes a royal pain in the butt so it's certainly not a 'minor' one in my case.

 

[DonTom]

Originally Posted by earthman

Depends on how often you want to listen to your music rather than the radio I guess,....95% of the time I tend to go for what's on my USB stick so having to open that fairing pocket and fiddly about with the stick becomes a royal pain in the butt so it's certainly not a 'minor' one in my case.

Use a short USB extension cable.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Coconut]

Hi Chris.C,

To answer your original question :

Any ideas on how to get power back to the USB port
without buying a new radio or doing major surgery on the bike?

That would be tricky, as the wiring for the USB Port ( and it's Power Supply ),
come from the main Audio Unit, and the USB socket is complete with
a moulded plastic fitting that latches into place on the Glove Box housing. 
( I have not been able to find a supplier for that type of moulded fitting ).

The Radio Manufacturers ( Radio Sound Inc, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. ) do offer a repair facility,
where you send your Radio to them and get a reconditioned one back quite quickly.
The last I heard that price of that service was US $220.00, which although not "cheap",
is a lot less than a complete new Radio.

If you can live without the Radio and just want to restore a USB Powered connection in the Glove Box,
for Charging purposes, you can change the 12V Cigar Socket type adapter for a device having a USB Port.
I did this on my Trophy, replacing it with a Digital Voltmeter having a USB port.  See this Topic :

Changed the Stock Glove Box Power Socket for Voltmeter with USB Port.

Cheers